Rape suspect faces weapon, drug charges

One of five teenagers accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl is in jail today after being arrested yesterday for firing a sawed-off shotgun.

Brian Gregory Minton, 16, of 118 Marin St. in Chapel Hill was arrested at his home after a neighbor called 911 to report shots being fired. Authorities said he was in possession of an illegal sawed-off shotgun and marijuana.

He had not fired at or threatened anyone with the weapon, authorities said.

He is charged with discharging a firearm within city limits, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and simple possession of marijuana. He also violated the terms of his bond on the pending rape charge.

Minton is in the Orange County jail in lieu of a $250,000 secured bond. His bond was raised by $50,000 at a court appearance this morning, and will be reviewed again next week. Authorities are working with his parents to find an alternate secure location.

Two others, a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old, also were arrested in the incident Monday.

Minton and four others face a first-degree rape charge in a case in which a 16-year-old girl said she was assaulted in Southern Village, a development south of Chapel Hill. The News & Observer generally does not identify the complaining witnesses in sexual assault cases.

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